Albums

After a 6 year hiatus the London trio The Monks Kitchen re-emerge with ‘Music from the Monks Kitchen’, a record of contrasts, harmony and that special bit of magic.

Emily Smith is on sparkling form with Echoes, her best album yet. Emily’s multi-instrumental partner Jamie McClennan produces and guest include Jerry Douglas and Aoife Donovan.

We have an exclusive video première for you today, a beautiful and intimate acoustic version of ‘Fortune’ by William Fitzsimmons from his new album ‘Lions’.

For their latest release Switzerland’s The Pussywarmers are joined by Hungarian singer Réka Csiszer, an album influenced by the likes of Strawberry Alarm Clock and The Sonics.

Saville is a keen gardener, and much of ‘Public Flowers’ is the auditory equivalent of time-lapse footage of an emergent flower: simple, concentrated, dew-speckled and mesmerizingly beautiful.

The Brightest Path is Patsy Reid’s first album released under her own name since 2008. With a core band featuring the likes of Fraser Fifield this has definitely been worth the wait.

A shimmering sound of aching beauty, Lions finds William Fitzsimmons returning to core values with a set of songs that draw you into a close sonic embrace. Feel the surge of gentle power.

Of the Storm is the latest offering from Irish folk act The Driftwood Manor which is released via Stone Tape Recordings whose ever growing roster of great artists continues to tickle my taste buds.

Gin is a joyous and celebratory record which crackles and sparkles with a joie de vivre which is sadly lacking from all too many of Stanley Brinks and The Wave Pictures’ contemporaries.

A veritable treasure trove Diamonds On The Water is Oyster band’s first album of new songs for seven years. We have a FRUK review and an exclusive premiere of ‘Lay Your Dreams Down Gently’.

With an astonishing CV, Henry Priestman may be able to lay claim to be the oldest singer to make his solo debut on a major label, but in his case the wisdom of age is a blessing for us all.

Neil shares more highlights from Celtic Connections when he joined a capacity crowd at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to see Lúnasa, Session A9 and Maru Tarang.